Since Jinkee Pacquiao's publicized shopping spree in Beverly Hills, YSL has been reborn in my mind.
Last week, when Hubby and I were at Greenbelt 5 I've seen some women with a kind of bag I've never seen before. It was simple but very elegant. It was love at first sight for me and that bag. And like real people, fate brought us together...at Rustan's. hehehehe
The first color I saw on display was navy blue. The picture here doesn't give justice to the color and beauty of this bag, but I love it anyway. I love it. I love it. I love it.
I love the metallic effect of this one. It's so funky and modern. There are other colors of this bag but these three colors are my top picks.
Look at how the gold hardware gives the bag that umph!.
Buuut...I'm on bag diet until our trip next year so, no, I didn't buy this bag. I can't. All I can do now is dream of it.
Baby went on a crying fit last night after being disturbed from her peaceful sleep three times in a row. She was sobbing, screaming and coughing relentlessly out of frustration. Took me a few minutes to calm her down and when she did, she still made sounds that melted my heart away.
She fell asleep on my chest and didn't want to let go. It was a good 30-45minutes sleep . Whenever I would try putting her down, she'd give out a whimper and I'd find myself picking her up yet again. I was tired. I still had things to prepare for the next day's work but I hang on until she was peaceful. I was determined to do anything for her, to assure her that mommy will protect and take care of her, no matter what.
I don't remember when was the first time I started preparing husbo's snack box. All I remember is that I always pity him whenever he tells me he got hungry at a certain time to the point that his hands were trembling and he couldn't find anything to eat.
Husbo's work requires him to be on the field most of the time. His typical day would be to attend back to back meetings, visit the site then head back to the office for some paper work. His first meal of the day would usually be at 2:00pm. Not a good thing right?
Knowing this, I thought that it would be best if he has some food in the car that he can just grab anytime he feels hungry. Or something to munch on while driving to his next destination.
Initially, what I would prepare for him are cake slices from Red Ribbon and soy milk. When cake slices run out, I'd let him have cupcakes and oranges. Today and yesterday, I prepared ham and egg sandwich, banana, cupcakes and soy milk for him.
I'm thinking of varrying his snacks so if you have other ideas, please feel free to leave a message. I prefer nutritious food and those that he can eat while on the go. Thanks!
This song makes my heart flutter whenever I hear it. Makes me grateful to have someone and be someone's someone.
Marry Me by Train
Forever can never be long enough for me To feel like I've had long enough with you Forget the world now we won't let them see But there's one thing left to do Now that the weight has lifted Love has surely shifted my way
Marry Me Today and every day Marry Me If I ever get the nerve to say Hello in this cafe Say you will Mm-hmm Say you will Mm-hmm
Together can never be close enough for me To feel like I am close enough to you You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you And you're beautiful Now that the wait is over And love and has finally shown her my way
Marry me Today and every day Marry me If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe Say you will Mm-hmm Say you will Mm-hmm
Promise me You'll always be Happy by my side I promise to Sing to you When all the music dies
And marry me Today and everyday Marry me If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe Say you will Mm-hmm Say you will Marry me Mm-hmm
I'm not a concert-goer so it goes without saying that I missed Taylor Swift's concert last weekend. It's all over the radio though, how sulit the concert was and how enchanting she was that night. It should be! Ticket prices range from 500-12,750!
Anyway, since last weekend was a Taylor Swift weekend, I just listened to her songs and it seems a lot of them were written with a broken heart. tsk..tsk.. no wonder a lot of teenagers can relate to her songs. This one paticular song is about unrequitted love. Love the melody of this one...and her pretty face. :)
Teardrops on my guitar
Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about And she's got everything that I have to live without Drew talks to me, I laugh 'cause It's just so damn funny That I can't even see anyone when he's with me He says he's so in love, he's finally got it right I wonder if he knows he's all I think about at night He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do Drew walks by me, can he tell that I can't breathe? And there he goes, so perfectly The kind of flawless I wish I could be She'd better hold him tight, give him all her love Look in those beautiful eyes and know she's lucky cause He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do So I drive home alone, as I turn out the light I'll put his picture down and maybe Get some sleep tonight He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar The Only one who's got enough of me to break my heart He's the song in the car I keep singing don't know why I do He's the time taken up but there's never enough And he's all that I need to fall into... Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see.
Late last year, I nursed a friend through what probably is one of the darkest days of her life after the love of her life decided to call it quits. Last monday, we had dinner with a friend who had a falling out with her friend-slash-crushie. Then today, I learned about a friend's heartbreaking story.
I hate break-ups because it always leaves a person hurt and miserable. But then again, it has to happen or life would be boring. I just wish there were less hurtful ways of breaking up.
After hearing the friend's heartbreaking story, it tore my heart to pieces. I wanted to cry for her but why would I when she was calm and composed. I used to think she was fragile. I used to think she's the type that would fall apart in the middle of the storm. But today I saw a whole new picture of her. She's going through a difficult time but her face doesn't show it. Her voice doesn't manifest it. She's a picture of a woman in total control of her mind and heart, of her life.
She made God bigger than her pain. So life goes on for her. She doesn't hold a grudge in her heart only love. She lives one day at a time and goes to where God wants her to be. She trusts Him fully. And I admire her for that.
I know that it won't be long until she finds God's greatest gift for her and when that happens, I will celebrate with her, for she deserves it. And so does my other girl friends who lost the love of their lives.
If I could sum up 2010 for me, I would say that 2010 marked the beginning of a new life for me. New home, new responsibilities, new job, new car, etc.
The past year has been good to me and I praise God for that. From a tumultous 2009, he made 2010 peaceful, fun and full of love and happiness.
January
Married the man of my dreams. Honeymoon at KL and Bali
February
Joined ADB Volleyball club’s beach volleyball at Bora with the Husbo. Husbo and I decided to our own house which we can move into by May this year.
March
Travelled to Balai Isabel with the Husbo on the first visit, then with his family on the second visit. Bought my first (laptop)computer.
April
Ultimate roadtrip with Husbo to Thunderbird Poro Point La Union then to The Lighthouse, Subic, and then finally back to Manila. On the way to Subic, Krugger broke down, we had to be towed out of SCTEX and commute from Bataan to Subic for our overnight stay.
May
Visited Hamilo twice with (1) Jom’s college friends; and (2) Struktura and my college friends. Roadtrip again, but this time to Bataan for the ADB annual summer outing. Got my advance birthday gift from the Husbo.
June
We started to seriously work on having a baby. We got Beamer.
July
Had a minor procedure done.
August
Saw CATS the Musical. Joined my first non-ADB Badminton Tourney. Impromptu trip to Tagaytay with the BigBarks.
September
Celebrated my 32nd birthday in Cebu. Got our first brand new family car. We found out that I was 6 weeks pregnant!
October
We bid farewell to Krugger. I was ordered to bed-rest for 3 weeks because I had spottings.
November
Got back to work again after a long period of rest.
December.
Had a glimpse of my baby thru the ultrasound. Such an amazing experience! This year, we're expecting to move in to our new home and having our little bundle of joy. I also hope that this year, God will shower us with more love and happiness.
These and many more made up our first year as husband and wife. No words can describe how happy marrying Jerome has made me, and now that we are expecting a little angel, I know its gonna be double the happiness I feel now.
This lovely notebook is Husbo’s. We got it the night Basyang was wrecking havoc in the Metropolis. This one will replace the Husbo’s 4-year-old notebook whose screen suddenly turned black while the Husbo was working. RIP Acer.
This new notebook is a true beauty. I love its aluminum body. I love how Mac’s logo is placed at the center making it look so simple yet very elegant. I love that it’s slim and light. I also love that the Husbo is using Dei instead of this one because it means I get to use it often.
When I was growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with my dad. He thinks I am rebellious and out of control, and I think he is unreasonable. He thinks I will bring nothing but humiliation to the family, and I think he is unfair. He was hard on me, but that same fact inspired me to do well and be good.
In the middle of our war was my mom. My dad was never confrontational when it comes to us, his children. So whenever he has issues with us he'd talk to my mom and my mom will talk to us, which means we never had a chance to have a dialogue to sort out our issues. His means is my mom, my way is by letters. There were a couple of times I would write him a letter to air out my side which would lessen the tension, but after sometime we'll be back to square one.
He only loosened up a few years after I graduated. Since then, I had more liberty to do the things I want. And although he would still remind me of the effects of my vices, his approach became more subtle and loving. We became more vocal about our feelings on certain issues and we were saying i-love-yous to each other more often.
These days I get to spend more quality time with him. And the more I talk to him, the more I understand and appreciate the kind of man that my father is. He may not be the best father there is, but at the end of the day he is still my father. He is still unreasonable at times, but somehow I managed to embrace his imperfections. He may not be the smartest, loving, patient or richest father there is, but I love him just the same.
One of my non-negotiable for our wedding was that we write our own vows. Which I learned was not an easy task because every time I would start writing my vows, I would break down. And my heart will be filled with gratitude, for him and for Jess, for the immense love they have shown and showered me. I didn't want to be specific about how I would love him because what I know might not be right and important for him. All I want is to be the wife that Jess wants me to be for him.
The exchange of vows was one of my favorite parts of the wedding. All my insecurities, all my fears, and all the doubts I had in my heart vanished hearing Jerome say his vows. Here's the complete transcript of his vows:
Hi Claire. You’re so pretty today.
I remember, 5 yrs ago, in 2005 also on a January, we met in graduate school. We became groupmates & barkada. 2 years later, after countless gimmicks, parties and events, we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend. Another 2 yrs as a happy couple, going on out-of-trips and traveling, and spending so many occasions together, here we are now in front of God, our families and closest friends, announcing our decision and promise to be with each other for the rest our time
Claire, I love you.
Starting today---- always remember these 4 letters which will remind you of my love and commitment to you. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t start with L).
E …as in -- ENJOY. We will enjoy every moment of our journey together. I look forward and I’m so excited, to starting a new life with you, and our future kids. To building our new house, buying our first car, and traveling abroad (just like my mom and dad). I know its not all going to be happy moments, but I’m sure, we will get past all those, as we have survived trials in the past. (…of course with the help and love, of all the people here with us today).
N NURTURE. I will nurture you and take care of you and the kids, be supportive of your work and hobbies, and continue to spoil you as much as I can.
G GOD. God will be a cornerstone of our family life. let us continue to let GOD be in the middle of everything. Ever since, everything in my life has been drafted and planned, and I have been following a strict schedule, just like I treat all my projects. I knew until when I’ll be employed, when I'll start my own business, how much I'll be making, and how I’m going reach my personal goals. Everything was according to my blueprints-- except you. It,s because God had other plans, and gave me, more than what I asked for – He’s giving me not just a wife, but a best friend and a perfect life partner.
R REMIND. As agreed, remind me to give you- your monthly allowance - for your visits to the salon, your massages, night-outs with friends, and for you travel & shopping. (but of course I will also remind, you that everytime wala ako projects – sagot mo ko and ikaw ang bahala saken). More importantly, aside from reminding each other of the things we always forget, or about our bad habits that we want to change, lets try to reassure each other every now and then, that we love each other, that we are one, and that we’re in this together, until our last breath…
Every day I thank the Lord for leading Jerome to my path. Everyday I thank the Lord for giving me hurt and pain because I would not be able to appreciate life and love the way I do now. I would do it over again if at the end of it all, Jerome is right there waiting for me. I am not perfect.
We're 5 months married now, and every morning I wake up beside him I feel the same love and appreciation for this great blessing God has given me. Thank you Lord.
After all the brouhaha, we finally came down to our wedding day.
It was tough planning the wedding side-by-side an on-going family problem. But two months before our wedding, Dad was on the way to recovery. While we were busy putting things together, he was busy getting fat…so that he'd look good at our wedding. hehehe
We checked in at Bellevue, Tagaytay Highlands, on 1 January. When we've settled down, I told Jom I'd like to have a couple of vodka shots before I sleep so I could be fully-rested. I knew the excitement would keep me up all night but if I counter it with alcohol, I'd be dreaming about Alaska for sure.
Unfortunately, despite the alcohol, I was up until 2:00 am. Then woke up at 6:00am. I only had 4 hours of sleep night before my wedding day! But what the heck, I didn't get Madge for nothing. I'm sure she'll do something about it.
Anyway, as early as 7:00am, suppliers started arriving. First, Cecilio (Couturier). Then Threelogy (Videographer), Blissful Occasion (Coordinator), Madge's Team (Make-up artist), and finally Jayjay Lucas (our Photographer).
They started doing me at 9:00am, and then pictorial here and there. In the middle of our preps, I got a call from my uncle saying that they had an accident. Thank God, no body was injured. But Krugger was crushed. I worried for a moment. But my friends told me to forget about it. Today's the day. And in my mind, I thought,"that's it. One final blow and we're on to happier days."
The moment of the walk finally came and boy, was I dead nervous! But more importantly, I was excited to finally get there, at the end of the aisle, where Jerome is waiting. This is it. The moment I've always dreamed of. The moment which I thought would never happen to me. I only have love, joy and gratitude in my heart because God made it all happen.
I cherished the moment. I told myself, I have to remember everything that happened because I will only be here once. I still have vivid images of Jerome, waiting for me at the end of the aisle, wiping his tears off his eyes; Kuya smiling at me as if to say I am so happy for you; and Dad who once told me "anak, gusto kong ihatid ka sa altar". I didn't see mom, but I know she's up there watching and smiling.
A couple of months after our engagement, I came face to face with one of my life's greatest challenges to date. Dad got hospitalized due to kidney failure. Both his kidneys have stopped working and the doctors recommended he undergoes dialysis 3x a week. This is one of things I feared most. That's why whenever he would get sick, I was always the first to worry, and that's why I have always been the police when it comes to his diet and medicines.
Since my mom passed away, I have always prayed for my loved ones' good health, primarily because I can't imagine losing another one of them. I am just not ready for that. Not yet.
I heard so many horror stories about dialysis. How it cripples a person's life because of the time spent in the hospital; 3x a week dialysis can also be financially exhausting for the family; and the complications resulted by the procedure is scary.
Dad knows all about these things. So when we brought him to the operating room to get his fistula installed, his lines were "Anak, I'm sorry. Ginawa ko naman lahat. Sorry Anak. Kung hindi nyo naman ako ipapa-transplant, hindi na lang ako magpapadialysis." It broke my heart seeing him hopeless and ready to give up. But I had to be strong. I have no idea where we would get the money to support his dialysis, all we had in mind was to give him immediate relief.
For 7 months, my dad was in and out of the hospital. We were exhausted, emotionally and financially. It was emotionally tormenting. And we were already contemplating on selling some properties to defray some of the medical expenses. There were days I would suddenly cry while at work whenever I'd remember his condition. There were days I was just hopeless and desperate to the point that I want to run away from everything.
In the time of my desperation, God would make miracles here and there. And it would bring my sanity back. First, our request for financial support from PCSO was granted. They gave us half of the amount we needed to kick off my dad's kidney transplant. They gave us P1,000,000. Yes, P1,000,000!!! For heaven's sake, you can't get that amount of money easily. Without the grant, we would be totally broke by now. Thank you Lord.
Next, there were friends and relatives who gave financial support to my dad. Friends from DWTL and ADB organized fundraisers for my dad, my brother's friends also pooled in some money for him. And there were some who gave money outright. All of these helped our family. One professional staff in ADB, whom I haven't met, made his wife's birthday party a fundraiser. Isn't that wonderful?
After the financial aide from PCSO, family and friends, there was the kidney donor whose kidney was a perfect match to my dad's. He is a family man in his 30s. Doctors said we were lucky to have found a healthy and perfect kidney match. Other patients spend a fortune and wait for years to find a match. But this one passed instantly. And as we speak, my dad is healthy and strong.
At the end of the day, I realized that love, indeed, can move mountains. The same way that Jerome's love moved me, or our love for our dad made us do anything and everything possible to save him... and God's amazing and enormous love for us made all of these possible. When all hope is lost, God's love remains.
Men, as explained by Jerome, appreciate a song for their melody or music and less of the lyrics. So whenever I tell him I have a song for him, his initial reaction is "sounds good" followed by "what does it mean?"
The other day, he said, he found a nice song that we can use for the wedding, maybe after the you-may-now-kiss-the-bride part. I didn't think the lyrics meant special to him until last night, when I was teasing him how much he loved taking my picture even when we were still friends. He said he loves the way I smile (aaaawwww...kilig!!!! hahaha), thus the song:
Minamasdan kita Nang hindi mo alam Pinapangarap kong ikaw ay akin Mapupulang labi At matinkad mong ngiti Umaabot hanggang sa langit Huwag ka lang titingin sa akin At baka matunaw ang puso kong sabik
[Chorus]Sa iyong ngiti ako'y nahuhumaling At sa tuwing ikaw ay gagalaw Ang mundo ko'y tumitigil Para lang sayo Ang awit ng aking puso Sana'y mapansin mo rin Ang lihim kong pagtingin
Minamahal kita ng di mo alam Huwag ka sanang magagalit Tinamaan yata talaga ang aking puso Na dati akala ko'y manhid Hindi pa rin makalapit Inuunahan ng kaba sa aking dibdib
[Chorus]Sa iyong ngiti ako'y nahuhumaling At sa tuwing ikaw ay lalapit Ang mundo ko'y tumitigil Ang pangalan mo sinisigaw ng puso Sana'y madama mo rin Ang lihim kong pagtingin
Sa iyong ngiti ako'y nahuhumaling(Sa iyong ngiti) Sa tuwing ikaw ay gagalaw Ang mundo ko'y tumitigil Para lang sa'yo... (Para lang sa'yo ang awit ng aking puso) Sana ay mapansin mo rin... Ang lihim kong pagtingin Sa iyong ngiti...
Okay. Now that I have finally returned from Cloud 9, I can give you a blow-by-blow account of how IT all happened.
You remember my blog entry about a dream that was haunting me? Well it was that. Yes, as early as that I've been dreaming about a proposal. And yes, it was because I have been expecting it. But of course, I didn't want to pressure Jerome so I kept it to myself and to a couple of really really close friends who allow me to be psychotic for a brief moment.
So, I've been expecting that long. It came to a point that I just got tired of hoping and waiting, so I let go and let Jess. After all, everything happens in HIS time.
Jerome brought met to Virgin Beach resort that weekend. I love the place. It's very quiet and private. The bamboo cabana had basic appliances and furnitures in it. There was no TV nor air conditioning. But it has a good view of the beach from the terrace.
Ang dami kong intro…hahaha…
Going back.
14 March. Over wine that evening, Jerome asked me to draft a guest list and budget for our wedding. I didn’t take it seriously because I thought it was just another one of his jokes. You see our Valentine's date was at a Bridal Fair. It was awkward. I tell you. Some of my friends saw me and they were all excited because they thought we were engaged. But the truth was, we were just posers. Seriously, it was awkward. The worst feeling of all was the anticipation that he was going to propose any moment. He didn't. (pathetic ko! hahaha)
So we finished our list. We laughed about the number of guests we have. We joked about who was going to shoulder 75% of the cost. He told me he wasn't going to get me an engagement ring because he'd rather spend it for the wedding than on a piece of stone. The night ended and there was no indication that a major event was coming my way.
15 March. Before we checked out, Jerome asked me to sit close to him. My back against his chest, and his arms around me. He told me about his plans in the next two weeks, something that he told me a lot of times...that he was going to be busy with school and work. I took at as a signal that we won't be seeing each other for two weeks.
Then he said, "After two weeks, can we already start preparing for the wedding?"
I was shocked. I felt my hands turn cold. But I kept calm and convinced myself that this was just another joke. So there was no need to be excited. I asked "seryoso ba to?"
"There is going to be another wedding on Saturday (21 March). For sure your relatives will ask you when you're getting married, you can tell them either October or December."
I froze. And this time I couldn't tell myself it was a joke. But I still insisted "seryoso ka ba?"
"Actually, ang plan ko…mamanhikan na kami on March 28, bago umalis si Ate."
His voice stopped in mid sentence so I looked at him and saw that he was crying. Then I knew it was real.
I had no words for him, not because I didn't want to accept his proposal, but because I couldn't find the right words to describe how happy and lucky I am to be loved by this wonderful man. We cried and hugged for a moment, until I asked…"May nakakaalam ba na magpro-propose ka ngayon?" and he said, "hindi ka pa nga umo-oo eh. Pano ko ibabalita sa iba?" hahahaha! Oo nga naman!
"Of course, hon. I will marry you."
PS.
After all the drama, he took the ring from I-don't-know-where. So again, the thing about him not giving a ring was just another joke.
PS. PS.
He had present delivered to me at work the following day with a card that says:
Jerome and I celebrated our first year anniversary last 21 October. Can you believe it's been a year?! I haven't celebrated HAPPY anniversaries for a long time so this is definitely an achievement for me. Yey to us!
These are the things we got from each other...
a bunch of my favorite flowers, caricature, scrapbook (green gift), coffee and cake
It's always been a mystery to me How two hearts can come together And love can last forever But now that I have found you, I believe That a miracle has come When God sends the perfect one
Now gone are all my questions about why And I've never been so sure of anything in my life
I wonder what God was thinking When He created you I wonder if He knew everything I would need Because He made all my dreams come true When God made you He must have been thinking about me
I promise that wherever you may go Wherever life may lead you With all my heart I'll be there too From this moment on I want you to know I'll let nothing come between us I'll love what ever you love
He made the sun He made the moon to harmonize in perfect tune One can't move without the other They just have to be together And that is why I know it's true You're for me and I'm for you Cause my world just can't be right Without you in my life
I wonder what God was thinking When He created you I wonder if He knew everything I would need Because He made all my dreams come true He must have heard every prayer I've been praying Yes, He knew everything I would need When God made you When dreams come true When God made you He must have been thinking about me
After an in-depth analysis of the performance indicators set out at the onset of this partnership, I am pleased to inform you that your contract, which was initially drawn from 21 October 2007 to 21 July 2008, has been extended...INDEFINITELY.
Happy Monthsary, Hon! I love you.
ps. I'm not putting end dates this time, baka ma-disappoint ako ulit eh. hahahaha
Love is knowing you will spend every day, of every week, of every month, of every season, of every year for the rest of your life with this person, and thinking, "This is exactly what I want".
Marriage doesn't promise a smooth sailing ride. It will be a rollercoaster like it was before. You may still feel a deep and abrupt plunge at times. One that makes your stomach sick. Other times, you will be on top and nothing can put you down. Like you hold the world in the palm of your hands. But through it all, know that God is with you. And as my friend put it "you were brought together by God and it is only by His grace that you will remain together".
So here, the long and short of what I want to say is the family that prays together, stays together. :-))
Seriously, congrats Marsy! I'm happy for both of you. We look forward to your silver. :-)
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